Carriage House Design: Combining Classic and Modern Elements
Back in the day, rich and influential people used carriage houses to keep their horses, carriages, and essential equipment. They also used them to provide shelter to their staff. However, nowadays, carriage houses have become incredibly popular among many homeowners in the United States.
Today, carriage houses have been used for more purposes. They are now being used as garages, office spaces, in-law suits, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), among others. They have also grown from being ancient architectural buildings to more sophisticated buildings by combining classic and modern elements. Are you looking for a carriage house that provides historical feelings and elegance at the same time? Then keep reading to discover different sophisticated carriage house designs. You can also check out my ADU website to find out more.
Key Characteristics of Carriage House
They Have Large Doors
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Carriage houses are built to have doors that are large enough to accommodate the carriage and horses. The door is usually high and wide, allowing drivers to maneuver their way into the building easily.
Two-Story Building
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One of the unique characteristics of carriage houses is the two-story building. This allows them to accommodate carriages and also provide accommodation to carriage drivers and other staff. The first floor is usually used to keep horses, carriages, and equipment, while the upper floor is used to house staff.
Open Floor Plan Concept
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Carriage houses are built with an open floor plan to enable carriage drivers to move the carriage and the horse around the carriage house easily. The open floor plan also makes the carriage house more attractive.
High Ceiling Rooms
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Carriage houses are also known for their high ceilings, which give a spacious feeling. The high ceiling not only helps to accommodate carriages but also provides storage above the horses and carriages.
They Complement Neighboring Buildings
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Another unique feature of carriage houses is that they usually have a matching style to complement the main building. They are built to look like a mini version of the main building; therefore, they possess similar features like roof materials, trim, siding color, and windows.
Loftier Living Space
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Carriage houses are built with high, large, and spacious living rooms to accommodate the carriage men. The bedrooms are usually smaller compared to the living rooms. This helps the homeowner to feel more comfortable.
Front-Facing Windows
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Carriage houses were formerly built with windows on the front side of the building. Thus, natural light could not penetrate deeply into the rooms. Nowadays, the homeowner can decide where the windows should be.
The Carriage House in the Modern Era
Thankfully, the modern-day carriage house has not lost its historical feelings. To top it up most modern-day carriage houses designers have also added more pleasant features that make it more appealing to tourists and potential buyers. For example, because they are small and efficient, modern-day carriage houses can be used as cabins, cottages, or vacation homes. Here are some other features of the modern-day carriage house:
Detached Dwelling
A detached dwelling unit or an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a modern classification of a carriage house built as separate and distinct living quarters on the same plot as the main building or attached to the single-family home. Having an ADU offers the following benefits:
- It allows parents and in-laws to live close to the rest of the family.
- It serves as an extra source of income. You can rent it out to people who love a standalone building but can't afford one.
- It can be used as a private studio or office space.
- It serves as living quarters for new staff.
Garages
Modern-day carriage house plans have been modified to provide protective parking in the form of a garage. This is in addition to the compact and comfortable living quarters on the second floor. The garages can be one or more bays depending on your preference. The second floor can also be designed as a simple studio or a living quarter with bedrooms and a living area. This plan is suitable for college students who want to earn extra income or need privacy.
You can have a beautiful carriage house with a blend of modern and classic design elements. However, ensure you choose the right classic elements (materials and furniture) that meet your unique needs. Using elegant lines, simple shapes, and traditional features will make your carriage house appealing from every angle. It can also be adapted as it ages and new styles and designs get released over time.
